Door check and closer.



A. A. PAGE.

DOOR'CHECK AND CLOSER.

APPLICATION FILED was. 1915.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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DOOR CHECK AND CLOSERP APPLICATION FILED AUG.3, 1915. 1,199,492. PatentedSept. 26,1916.

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A. A. PAGE.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG.3, I9l5. I 1,199,492. Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESS lNE/VTOR y M0- W ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT A. PAGE, OF EAST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO SARG-ENT & COMPANY, OF NEVI HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicationfiled August 3, 1915. Serial No. 43,432.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT A. PAGE, a citizen of the United States, residing in East Haven, county of New Haven, and State of. Connecticut, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Checks and Closers, of which'the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to door controlling apparatus, and more especially to combined door checks and closers, but certain features of the invention are not limited to this particular application.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive door check and closer for llght doors, such as screen doors.

It is also proposed to furnish a simple check and closer which is double acting, and which can be readily applied either to a right-hand door or to a left-hand door without reversing the spring or adjusting any of the parts other than the connecting means between the actuating shaft or spindle and the door frame.

M ore specifically, it is aimed to; provide a closer having improved and simplified means for winding up the closing spring from opposite ends respectively as the shaft is turned in one or the other direction, whereby the number of parts is reduced and the construction rendered very compact and capable of ready assembling.

A still further object is to provide a door controller which can be applied to a screen door of either right-hand or left-hand in the space between such screen door and an, ordinary door hinged to the same frame or casing.

To these and other ends, the inventionconsists in the novel features, and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompany drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mounted check and closer embodying my improvements, with the door and door frame in section; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical central section through the check and closer; Fig. 4 is a section on line t'1 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an: elevation of the pedestal and cap, with the spring and its casing partially shown by dotted lines; Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of His showi g he Pa -t i the esitiees which they assume when the door is closed; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view somewhat similar to Fig. 6, showing how the spring is wound up by movement of the cap or cover in one direction; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing how the spring is wound up by movement o-fthe cap or cover in the other direction; Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the check applied to a screen door, in the space between said door and an ordinary door hinged to the same frame; and Fig. 10 is an elevation of the screen door shown in Fig. 9, with the checkapplied thereto.

My improved door check and closer belongs particularly to that class in which a cylinder or chamber containing a liquid checking mechanism is surmounted by a spring closer mechanism, both of said mechanlsms being operatively connected with an upright actuating spindle. When the check and. closer is applied to the door, the spindle is operatively connected with the door frame by means of a crank arm and link. Both the checking mechanism and the closer mechanism are double acting, that is to say, they will operate when the spindle is turned in either direction so that the device is applicable either to a right-hand door or to a left-hand door.

The device comprises a bracket for at tachment to the door, carrying a checking cylinder 21, in which is located a checking plunger or piston 22. Instead of having the axis of the cylinder 21 in a plane parallel to the bracket, as in most checks with which I am familiar, I dispose the cylinder axis perpendicularly with respect to the bracket. The plunger 22 is located in the Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

front end of the cylinder and connected by a link 23 to the lower portion of an upright actuating spindle 2a mounted to turn in a step bearing 25 in the lower wall of the cylinder 21. At the rear endof the. checking cylinder, the same is provided with an opening 21*, through which the plunger 22 may be inserted into the cylinder in assembling, after which the bracket opening is closed by a disk or plug 26. Preferably, thefplug 26 and bracket have threaded engagement at 27, and a gasket 28is interposed between the bracket and a flange 29 on the plug, so as to prevent the escape of the glycerin or other liquid checking medium contained in, the cylinder. By preference, the plug 26 is provided with at Wrench faces 2650a the periphery of the flange 29 so that it can be readily screwed into and out of its opening. In the particular form shown, the lower part of the actuating spindle is formed to present a crank 30, and the link 23 is pivoted at one end to an upright pin 31 passing through the plunger and is swiveled at its other end to the crank 30 by a special form of swivel connection. In providing this special form of swivel connection, I shape the end of the link 23 as a yoke 32, which is placed over the crank 30 so as to straddle thesame, after which the end-of the yoke is closedby a screw 33 passing from one arm of the yoke'into the other. It will be observed that the recess 34 between the yoke arms is disposed at an angle to the axisof the link 23. In assembling the check, the plunger carrying the link 23 is placed in the forward end of the cylinder by way of the opening 21 with the link 23 turned to one side, the spindle 24 is lowered into its hearing from above, and then turned so as to swing the crank 30 into the recess 34 of the link. The connecting screw 33 is then screwed into the yoke by inserting a screw driver through the opening 21, and the opening is then closed by the plug 26. The plunger 22 is provided with a check valve 35 (Fig. 3), which acts in the usual manner,- permitting the liquid topass freely through the plunger when the latter is drawn toward the bracket on the opening of the door, but preventing movement of liquid through the plunger as the latter returns to its initial position on the closing movement of the door.

Referring now to the closer mechanism, the construction is substantially as follows in the particular device illustrated: A pedestal 36 integral with the bracket 20 and cylinder 21 rises from the upper part of the cylinder. This pedestal 36 is in the form of an upright cylinder through which the spindle 24 passes vertically, and in the upper end of which said spindle 24 has a bearing. Preferably, the bearing is constituted by'a metal plug 37 screwed into the upper end -or mouth of the pedestal. A stuffing box is provided in connection with the bearing by causing the plug 37 to compress one or more leather washers 38, supported on a metal washer 39 occupying a seat 40 in the upper end portion of the pedestal. The up;

per extremity 41 of the spindle is made of polygonal shape so as to fit a polygonal opening 42 in a cap or cover 43, whereby .the cap and spindle are interlocked with each other. The cap is adapted to be rotated by a crank arm connected with the frame of the door by means of a link 71- and bracket 72. Beneath the cap 43 a helical closing spring 44 is centered around the pedestal 36, and interposed between the cap 43 and the lower part of the pedestal is a cover or casing 45 for the closing spring. This cover 45 is preferably made of light sheet metal in the form of a hollow cylinder, and not only acts as a casing for the spring but also plays an important function in the operation of the device, as hereinafter eX,

plained.

In the type of closer to which my invention belongs, the spring is held stationary at one end and wound up from the opposite end, and vice versa, as the actuating spindle is turned in opposite directions respectively. My device embodies improved mechanism for effecting this result, and to this movement in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 6), but permits movement thereof in a clockwise direction (Fig. 7). This also applies to the cover member 45 which is interlocked. with the lower end of the spring by reason of the fact that the latter passes through a small opening in the former. In Fig. 6, the opening in question is indicated at 48. On the upper end of the pedestal, a tension collar 49 is rotatably mounted. This collar has a central opening 50 which is of greater diameter than the actuating spindle. ()n the periphery of the collar is an out standing lug 51 engaging the upper end of the spring 44, which upper end is upturned, as shown at 52-. By moving the collar 49 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 6), the lug 51-will carry along the end of the spring,

and thereby wind the latter from the top,

the lower end being held stationary by engagement with the lug 47. The movement of the collar 49 to produce this result is effected by means of a lug 49 depending from the rotary cap 43 at a point within the spring casing and engaging one edge of the lug 51. The collar cannot be moved in a clockwise direction from'the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 because a depending stop lug- 53 thereon engages a stop lug 54 cast on the side of the pedestal. Thus, the upper end of the spring is held stationary when the lower end is wound up by'moving it in aclockwise direction (Fig. 7). This winding up of the spring from the lower end is produced'by the cover member or casing 45, which is turned in aclockWise direction by a lug 55 depending. from the periphery of the cap 43. adapted to engage and carry along a lug 56 projecting integrally from V the cap 43 in a clockwise direction produces a winding up of the spring 14 from the bottom by means of the casing or shell 45 interposed between the cap and the lower end of the spring, the upper end of the spring be ing held stationary by its interlocking connection with the pedestal. When, on the other hand, the cap 13 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, it winds up the spring from the top by carrying along the collar 49 in a counter-clockwise direction, the lower end of the spring being meanwhile locked against movement by means of the lug $7 on the lower part of the pedestal. In this manner, the spring is energized to an equal degree by the turning of the cap in either direction so as to act as an effective closer for the door.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the check and closer in its ordinary application, wherein it is applied to the outer face of a screen or other light door. The bracket 20 is screwed to the frame of the door in the usual manner and the crank 7 0 is secured to the cap 43 by a screw 57. The crank arm is provided with a ring-like portion 58 embracing a hub 59 on the cap, and the screw 57 passes through the crank arm into the cap at a point eccentric to the hub, thereby holding the arm tightly on the cap. In the adjustment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the link 71 is located above the crank arm 70. This link preferably comprises a threaded shank '71 which screws into a socket in a casting 71 so that the link is adjustable in length to suit clifferent conditions. The casting 71 is swiveled by a pin 60 to the bracket 72. This bracket is provided with a' leaf or plate 61 hinged to the body portion by means of a pin 62, and in the adjustment under discussion, the plate or leaf 61 is screwed to a vertical surface provided by the frame of the door.

The casting 71 acts as an adjustable extension for the threaded shank or stem 71 and the body portion of the extension is offset from the shank or stem so that it can lie somewhat above the same, as shown. The threaded socket engaging the threaded stem is formed in a sleeve at one end of the extension, and at the opposite end of the extension the pin 60 is secured to extend upwardly from the extension, the bracket 72 being swiveled at the upper face of the extension. by means of said pin. The main part of the bracket 7 2 carries the horizontal pin 62 somewhat above the plane of the body portion of the extension 71", and the hinged leaf, in this adjustment, hangs down substantially at right angles to the body portion of the bracket somewhat above, but near the top of the check.

In the adjustment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the check is applied to a screen door, in the space between said door and an ordinary door hinged to the frame at the opposite side. Here the crank 7 0 instead of extending out in front of the check extends lat erally therefrom, the screw 57 being screwed into another screw hole on the cap 43. In this adjustment, the crank arm is disposed above the adjusting link 71, and the plate 61 of bracket 72 is swung down flush with the body portion of the bracket and applied to the under surface of the door frame in the relation shown. In this case, the adjustable link 71 is extended to the fullest degree-so that the bracket will be located at a point laterally beyond the check so as not to interfere with the same. Thus, the check can be installed in a minimum amount of space, as shown. Supposing this same installation to be desired with a screen door of opposite hand, the crank arm and its connections with the frame would be reversed so as to extend from the check on the opposite side, for which purpose the cap is provided with another screw socket at an appropriate point. The number of screw sockets provided in the cap will obviously vary in accordance with the number of difierent adjustments which it may be desired to give the crank arm with respect to the cap of the check. In the form shown, three sockets for the screw 57 are provided, one corresponding to what might be termed the outside adjustment, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 (which will serve for either hand of door), and the others corresponding to the inside adjustment, shown in Figs. 9 and 10, as applied to a right-hand door and a left-hand do'or respectively.

Various changes may be made in the details of the device without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What I claim is:-

1. In a door check, the combination of a checking cylinder having a closure at one end, a plunger in said cylinder, an actuating spindle in said cylinder having a crank portion, a link having a forked portion or yoke straddling the crank of said spindle, a fastening member extending across and closing the open end of the yoke, and confining said crank therein, and a member swiveling the other end of saidlink to said plunger, the axis of said forked portion or yoke being disposed at an angle to the link proper so that in assembling the crank may be readily swung into and locked in the yoke; substantially as described.

2. In a door controller, the combination of a spring, an inclosing shell for said spring serving as a winding member therefor, said shell open at its upper end, a second springwinding member, and a cap, member for of a spring, inner and outer spring-winding members, and an actuating cap for both-of said spring-winding members located above both of said winding members, and having means to operatively engage the same; substantially as described. 1

4:. In a door check and closer, the combination of a casing having an upstanding pedestal, a spring embracing said pedestal, a member within the spring for winding the same from the top, a shell surrounding the spring, supported from beneath by'said casing and serving as a member for winding said spring from the bottom, and means for actuating both of said spring-winding members; substantially as described.

5. In a door check and closer, the combination of a casing having an upstanding pedestal, a rotary spindle extending through said pedestal, a spring surrounding said pedestal, an inclosing member for said spring supported from beneath on the casing and serving as a spring-winding member, a second spring-winding member rotatably mounted on top of the pedestal, and an actuating cap for both of said springwinding members fixed on said spindle; substantially as described.

6. In a door controller, the combination of an inner winding member, an outer winding shell, a fixed abutment, and a coil spring extending through an opening in said shell into cooperation with said abutment; substantially as described.

7. In a door controller, the combination of a pedestal, a helical spring embracing the pedestal, a collar mounted on the pedestal, means of engagement between the collar and the upper end of said helical spring whereby the spring is adapted to be wound from the top, a winding shell inclosing the spring, means on the lower part of said winding shell for engaging the lower end of the spring so as to wind the latter from the bottom, a spindle within said pedestal, and means connected with said spindle for rotating said winding shell in one direction and for rotating said collar in the other direction; substantially as described.

8. In a door check, the combination of casing, a spring, an actuating spindle, a cap member secured to the spindle for winding the spring in either direction, a crank arm, and means for securing said crank arm to the door check in a number of different angular adjustments; substantially as described.

9. In a door controller having a double acting spring, the combination of a spindle, a cap secured to the spindle,.a spring, a spring-inclosing member for winding up the spring from one end by the movement of said cap in one direction, and means for winding up the spring from the opposite tion of said extension being offset from said stem so as to lie above the same, a pivot pin carried by the extension so as to extend upwardly therefrom, a bracket member swiveled horizontally to said extension at the upper face thereof by means of said pivot pin, and a leaf hinged to said'bracket member to swing in a vertical plane; substantially as described.

11. The combination with a door frame.

and a door hinged thereto, of a door check applied to one face of said door adjacent the upper edge thereof, and comprising a casing, spindle and crankarm, said crank arm extending laterally from the casing and approximately parallelto the door, a threaded stem swiveled to the outer end of the crank arm at the lower face of said arm, an extension havinga threaded sleeve engaging the end of said threaded stem and also having a body portion offset from said sleeve so as to lie somewhat above said threaded stem, said stem and extension being substantially parallel to the door, an upwardly extending pivot member carried by said extension beneath the lintel of the door frame, and a bracket member swiveled laterally to said extension by means of said pivot pin and having a horizontal surface applied to the under surface of the lintel; substantially as described.

12. In a door controller, the combination of an actuating spindle, a cap member fixed thereto, aspring located beneath said cap member, and means for winding up the spring fromone end as the actuating spindle and cap member are turned in one direction, and for winding up the spring from the opposite end as the spindle and cap member are turned in the opposite direction; substantially as described.

13. In a door controller, the combination of an actuating spindle, a cap member fixed thereto, a spring located beneath said cap member, and means for winding up the spring from one end as the actuating spindle. and capmember are turned in one direction, and for winding up the spring from the opposite end as the spindle and cap member are turned in the opposite direction, said means including a collar interposed between th c p m mber and. one nd of the pring,

and a cylinder connecting the cap member with the other end of the spring; substantially as described.

14. In a door controller, the combination of a pedestal, an actuating spindle j ournaled therein, a cap member fixed to the spindle above the pedestal, a spring around the pedestal beneath the cap member, a spring inclosing member connecting the cap member with the lower end of the spring, and a collar Within the spring for connecting the upper end of the latter with said cap member; substantially as described.

15. In a door check, the combination With the casing and the spindle, and a cap member secured to the spindle, of a crank arm, means for securing said crank arm to said cap member in a number of difierent angular adjustments, a link sWiveled to the crank arm, and a bracket sWiVeled to the link and having a hinged attaching element; substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand on the 31st day of July, 1915.

ALBERT A. PAGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

